Medical line securement device with locating guides

Abstract

An anchoring system includes a securement device having an anchor pad with a flexible retainer opening that receives a portion of a medical article, such as a catheter, to hold it securely in place. A locating mechanism in the form of posts positions and holds the catheter in position and limits rotational movement of the catheter. The anchor pad is secured to a patient's skin by adhesive.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 950,23 1, filed on Jul. 17, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention relates to an anchoring system for securing a medical article to a patient and, in particular, to an anchoring system for securing a catheter or other elongated medical article to a patient to inhibit movement or migration of the catheter or medical article relative to the patient.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]It is common in the treatment of patients to utilize catheters to introduce fluids and medications directly into the patient or to withdraw fluids from the patient. Percutaneously inserted catheters direct fluids directly into the bloodstream, a specific organ or an internal location within the patient, or are used to monitor vital functions of the patient. For instance, short,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]Another aspect is directed to a method of securing a medical article to a Patient's skin. The method includes adhering an anchor pad with a base onto a patient's skin and deforming a tab on the anchor pad to provide access to a cavity formed between the anchor pad and the base via an opening. The method further includes inserting a

Problems solved by technology

Tape, however, often collects dirt and other contaminates.

Frequent tape changes, however, create the problem of excoriation of the patient's skin.

Additionally, valuable time is spent applying and reapplying the tape.

Further, because many health care providers find the taping procedure difficult and cumbersome when wearing latex gloves, they often remove their gloves when taping.

Not only does this further lengthen the taping procedure, but it also subjects the health care provider to possible infection.

Moreover, even if health care providers remain gloved, contact between the adhesive surface of the tape and the latex gloves causes micro-holes in the gloves, which also subjects the health care provider to possible infection.

The entire taping and dressing procedure takes several minutes of the health care provider's valuable time.

In addition, the catheterization process often requires relatively frequent disconnection between the catheter and the fluid supply tube, as well as dressing changes.

In addition, the traditional method of intravenous catheter securement with surgical tape and transparent dressings alone has not always prevented catheter migration and / or dislodgment.

Taped intravenous catheters are easily pulled out during a “routine”dressing change, especially by inexperienced health care providers.

Further, if the catheter migrates too far or dislodgment occurs, the health care provider must replace the catheter, thus exacerbating the time and expense required to maintain the intravenous feed.

Prior securement methods also have not served the patient well.

Surgical tape or foam strips are uncomfortable.

Many patients also do not rest comfortably and worry about catheter dislodgment when they move, when only tape and a dressing secure the catheter in place.

Although this technique securely attaches the catheter to the patient, it obviously is painful and uncomfortable for the patient.

This prior retention procedure is also time consuming and inconvenient, poses the risk of needle-stick to the health care provider, and risks suture-site infection to the patient.

Suture material also tends to exhibit poor gripping on medical tubes and can cut through the winged extension of the flexible clamp, if a rigid clamp is not used.

The use of a rigid clamp, however, complicates the securement procedure by adding yet another component that can be dropped on the floor and become unsterile.

In addition, the sutured securement of the flexible clamp or the flexible / rigid clamp assembly does not permit easy release of the catheter from the patient for dressing changes and insertion site cleansing.

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